Andrew Shue & Amy Robach Share What NOT to Say to Someone With Cancer (VIDEO)

Speaking with a friend or lovedone who's facing a cancer diagnosis can leave you tongue-tied. No one wants to say the wrong thing. So what are some of the most common statements cancer patients hate hearing? Amy Robach, Good Morning America anchor and author of the New York Times bestselling memoir Better: How I Let Go of Control, Held On to Hope, and Found Joy in My Darkest Hour, and her husband, Andrew Shue,share what NOT to say to someone with cancer.

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While it might seem like an obvious thing, Robach says many people share their stories of loved ones they've lost to the disease. Cancer patients are acutely aware of the statistics and don't need any reminders, the couple points out.

"Please don't share the tragic stories with a woman who is going through the unthinkable and is, literally, fighting for her life," Robach says. "You need hope, you need inspiration. It's so important to keep a positive attitude."

Shue notes that despite the best intentions and wanting "to connect," people don't always understand. If possible, try to "put yourself in the cancer patient's mind," he advises.

Robach also says people are quick to exclaim, "So you're all done, right? You're all good!" when they learn that a cancer patient's treatment is finished. But, as Robach knows all too well, cancer is never gone from your mind. The journalist points out that every six months she visits her doctor -- which she likens to standing before a judge waiting for the jury's verdict -- to make sure it hasn't returned.

"It's something you live with for the rest of your life," she says.

While it's great that people want to celebrate, they should take their cue from the cancer patient.

Shue calls it "a learning process" to understand how the disease grips you.

"You're kind of terrorized by it," he says.

Unless you've had the disease and been on that side, it's best to choose your words very carefully. Sometimes knowing what not to say can be even more important than saying the right thing.